Cyber threats are among the biggest challenges businesses face today. With the advancement and transformation of our digital world, organisations need to focus on managing risks and reducing the cost of cyber crime.

On this course, you’ll identify some of the risks that you face as an individual, as well as the organisations you work for.

You’ll explore key digital security terminology and the role of a security policy for protecting information assets within the context of global communication and the web.

Understand cyber threats

You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of security concepts and their application to contemporary internet and mobile-based technologies.

You’ll explore the various categories of cyber threat, for example; malware, ransomware, and phishing.

Then you’ll consider what constitutes a ‘vulnerability’ and think about the different types of hackers, e.g. recreational, cyber activists, and state sponsored.

Examine the impact of cyber crime, how it affects companies, and the UK government’s response strategy.

Explore digital security risk

Digital security risk is a major issue for organisations worldwide. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, total global losses from cyber crime are in excess of $600 billion a year (2018). Cyber crime losses by UK retailers totalled £505 million in 2013 alone.

You’ll explore types of digital security risks, where they occur, who causes them, and identify the risks around your data being lost or used by others, and what you do when your data security has been breached.

Finally, you’ll review the possible motivations of security breaches and what organisations can do to protect themselves, their systems, and their data.